Detroit Red Wings acquire Boston Bruins goaltender in a trade completed today

Back in the summer of 1980, both Detroit and Boston found themselves at a crossroads in goal. The Red Wings had brought in Rogie Vachon a couple of years earlier, hoping the veteran could be the answer to their long-standing issues between the pipes. It didn't quite pan out.

After two rocky seasons in Detroit, it was clear a change was needed. Meanwhile, over in Boston, Gilles Gilbert had been a steady presence for much of the 1970s but was also getting up there in age. So the two Original Six teams figured a simple goalie-for-goalie deal might just do the trick.

Even though the trade didn't lead the teams to the desired results, it's mainly remembered because it included NHL legend Rogatien Vachon.

The Quebec native broke into the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens back in 1966-67, where he had an 11-3 record and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final at only 21 years old.

He eventually won his first Cup the following season and also won the Vezina Trophy, when it was awarded to the team that allowed the fewest goals in the league.

Of course, everyone knows what happened next. With Ken Dryden taking over Montreal's crease in 1971, Vachon was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

He never won another Stanley Cup after leaving Montreal, but did help Canada win at the 1976 Canada Cup, with an impressive 1.39 GAA.

By the time he arrived in Detroit as a free agent in 1978, Vachon was trying to squeeze out a few more good years. It didn't work out. The trade to Boston gave him a fresh start, and he spent two seasons there before retiring. Gilbert, meanwhile, remained in Detroit until 1983.